By the early part of this century, surgeons had come to regard the presence of hair as a menace because it harbored potentially dangerous microorganisms. Hospitals hired barbers to shave the operative area.
One of the worst actions you can do prior to a surgery is to shave your legs or arms. The surgical team loves to see hairy legs and armpits. This means there is a lower chance of infections. So go "European" for a week and save yourself the chance of an infection.
Before a surgical intervention, it is common to remove hair from the area of the body that is going to have surgery. Hair can be removed using different methods, including clippers, a razor, or hair removal cream.
Do not shave or wax any area on your body for a week before surgery (legs, bikini, underarms, etc.). Shaving can nick the skin and increase the risk of wound infection. If hair needs to be removed, it will be done at the hospital.
The surgical journal Spine published a study that noted that infections were more likely in patients who shaved prior to surgery than patients who were not shaved.
Shaving the hair the night before surgery has been associated with increased incidence of surgical site infections when compared to shaving immediately before surgery by the technician. It is therefore recommended that you do not do this (even if it is an area habitually shaved such as the armpit, pubic area, or legs).
If you have a beard, mustache, or other facial hair, you must neatly trim or shave it prior to surgery. A beard or other facial hair interferes with the fitting of your oxygen mask, as well as interferes with the surgical procedure.
Straight up, there is no science to support a reason not to shave above the knee, says Dr Elizabeth Farrell, gynaecologist and medical director at Jean Hailes for Women's Health. Some women don't feel the need to because the hairs on their thighs are finer and thinner than those on the lower half of their leg.
You can't wear deodorant during surgery because it can leave a residue on your skin that's difficult to remove. This residue might make it challenging for the surgeon to cut through the incision site or accurately assess your skin circulation during surgery.
You should not shave around the area of your surgery at least 2 days prior to surgery. Shaving can nick your skin that can cause an infection.
Day of Surgery:
A hospital gown will be given and the operation site will be shaved and cleaned. The area to be prepared extends from the iliac crest (hip bone) laterally down the hip and thigh to the knee (i.e. side of leg only). The pubic/genital region is not touched.
After you receive anesthesia, your surgical team will clean and shave the area of your body where surgery is needed. This helps reduce the risk of infection.
Clippers have fine teeth that cut the hair extremely close to the skin, leaving very short stubble and intact skin with less of a risk of micro-abrasions and SSIs. They're also quicker to use than a razor.
Intermittent pneumatic compression devices can protect you from harmful blood clots after surgery. People who can't walk around can use these devices to keep their blood moving in their legs. This is where blood clots can start.
Nerve block, also known as regional anaesthetic, is an injection of local anaesthetic by your anaesthetist to “block” the nerve or a group of nerves that supply the area of your body where your operation will be. How is a nerve block used? Nerve blocks for leg, foot and ankle surgery can be made to last up to 24 hours.
On the day of surgery, patients should wear loose, comfortable clothing. Patients will have a bulky dressing and/or plaster splint on their operated leg, ankle, and/or foot after surgery, so their clothes must fit around their dressing and/or splint.
Don't worry – It's okay if you have your period the day of your surgery or while you are in the hospital! This will not cause your surgery to be cancelled. Most likely you won't be allowed to wear a tampon while in surgery. Instead, you will be given a pad to wear.
This is because all humans have germs on their skin that may cause an infection after surgery. Taking two showers (one at night and one in the morning) with CHG soap removes germs and reduces the risk of infection. Your doctor's office will give you the CHG soap and showering instructions.
Various drugs, including anesthetic agents, can cause parosmia in the perioperative period. There are reported cases of patients with alterations of smell and taste due to local anesthetics, nerve damage, or as a side effect of general anesthesia.
Shave in both directions
Shaving against the grain – i.e. up the leg – supposedly gives a closer shave, but it also increases the risk of nicks, cuts and bumps. It's best to start by shaving down the leg, in the direction of the hair's growth.
But that's not the only area of the V-Zone where hair can grow! You may find it on your inner thighs, on either side of your vulva (called the labia majora or outer lips) and stretching to the back of your body around your bum. All of this is completely normal.
In addition to the elderly, people who have conditions such as heart disease (especially congestive heart failure), Parkinson's disease, or Alzheimer's disease, or who have had a stroke before are also more at risk. It's important to tell the anesthesiologist if you have any of these conditions.
Erection may occur irrespective of the type of anesthetic method employed. Several techniques for treatment of this troublesome complication have been described in the literature, all with varying levels of success and potential adverse effects.
Smooth skin may make it easier for surgeons to make incisions cleanly and precisely. In fact, it's customary for surgeons to shave some patients before they perform surgery.